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Ford Suspension Recalls Involve Control Arms, Loose Fasteners, and Axles
⚠ 2 of these recalls carry a do-not-drive advisory.
Control arms and suspension fasteners recur throughout these Ford notices. Bronco Sport appears repeatedly: two 2021 notices address incorrect front lower control arms and loose or missing rear subframe bolts, while a 2026 notice covers front lower control arm ball joints on certain 2021-2026 Bronco Sport and 2022-2026 Maverick vehicles. A separate recall concerns lower control arm fasteners on 2024-2025 Broncos. Explorer notices distinguish potentially breakable rear lower control arm bolts on 2020 vehicles from incorrect rear suspension components on 2021 vehicles. The 2020-2021 F-53 appears in rear axle lubrication and stabilizer bracket notices. Other recalls concern Expedition fasteners, Flex/Taurus toe links, and aftermarket F-150 ball joints.
Warning signs to watch for
- 2019 Expedition rear toe link fastener recall: a disconnected toe link can cause a sudden change in handling.
- 2020 Flex/Taurus rear toe link recall: a fractured toe link causes a sudden change in handling.
- 2021 F-53/F-59 rear axle lubricant recall, 21S17: loss of motive power, parking brake failure, or inability to shift into Park.
Can you keep driving? What the notices say
Two listed recalls explicitly tell owners not to drive until repairs are completed: the May 2025 Bronco front lower control arm fastener recall and the May 2026 Bronco Sport/Maverick front lower control arm ball joint recall. None of the listed notices gives a park-outside instruction. For the other listed recalls involving E-450 axle U-bolts, Expedition and Flex/Taurus toe links, 2021 Bronco Sport components, Explorer suspension, F-53/F-59 axles, aftermarket F-150 ball joints, and F-53 stabilizer brackets, the notices do not tell owners to stop driving.
What the free repair involves
The listed repairs are free. The 2025 Bronco recall checks lower control arm fastener tightness and replaces loose or missing fasteners. The 2026 Bronco Sport/Maverick recall inspects and repairs front lower control arm ball joints as necessary. Recall 21S11 replaces both rear lower control arm bolts; 21S47 inspects the rear suspension module and replaces incorrect parts as necessary.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 2 |
| high | 16 |
Models affected most
Where owners report suspension problems most
NHTSA owner complaints filed under suspension for the Ford models and years in this guide. Complaints are unverified reports and are not limited to the recalled defects.
| Vehicle | Suspension complaints |
|---|---|
| 2021 Ford Bronco | 24 |
| 2018 Ford Explorer | 23 |
| 2023 Ford Maverick | 15 |
| 2023 Ford Explorer | 14 |
| 2019 Ford Expedition | 14 |
| 2023 Ford Bronco | 13 |
| 2020 Ford F53 | 11 |
| 2019 Ford Explorer | 11 |
Every recall in this group
Common questions
Which Ford suspension recalls tell owners not to drive?
The May 2025 recall for certain 2024-2025 Broncos and the May 2026 recall for certain 2021-2026 Bronco Sport and 2022-2026 Maverick vehicles both advise owners not to drive until repaired. The other listed notices do not give that instruction.
Are the 2021 Bronco Sport suspension repairs the same?
Recall 21S03 calls for inspection and replacement of incorrect front lower control arms if necessary. Recall 21S04 calls for inspection of rear suspension bolts and securing or replacing them as necessary. Both notices specify repairs free of charge.
What repairs do the Explorer suspension notices specify?
The March 2021 notice for certain 2020 Explorers requires replacement of both rear lower control arm bolts. The November 2021 notice for certain 2021 Explorers requires rear suspension module inspection and replacement of incorrect parts as necessary. Both repairs are free.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.